News: CBSSports.com NFL Insider Mike Freeman reports the Browns remain uncertain exactly how to handle RB
Peyton Hillis, who is an impending free agent. Freeman reports that some in the organization want to try and keep him, while others want to part ways and draft Alabama's Trent Richardson. Freeman says "I think the draft option will win out, but no one knows for certain just yet." The
Cleveland Plain Dealer recently reported that the Browns would bring back Hillis for the right price.
Analysis: Hillis had 161 carries for 587 yards (3.6 avg.) with three rushing scores and 22 catches for 130 yards in nine starts last season. The year was overshadowed when he left the team with strep throat symptoms just before kickoff in Week 3 and then hurt his hamstring twice over the course of the season. Keep an eye on what happens with Hillis and where he ends up. If he returns to the Browns and can remain the starter he could be considered a low-end No. 2 Fantasy RB. But if he leaves Cleveland and is part of a timeshare situation then his value would decline.
Freeman: Moss hurting himself
Randy Moss, WR, TEN
9:45 AM
News: CBSSports.com NFL Insider Mike Freeman reports that WR
Randy Moss could be ruining his chances at a comeback effort with his recent rant on UStream on Monday. Freeman reports that "everyone is watching, including NFL team executives," and one said "he has seen the Moss videos and believes Moss is utterly obliterating his chances of returning to the NFL." Freeman reports that the executive said his franchise was once considering Moss, but after watching the video stream, the team is no longer doing so. So while Moss might be creating buzz for a future show, he might also be utterly destroying any comeback chance.
Analysis: Moss will likely draw interest from some team in need of life at the receiver spot (St. Louis, Jacksonville or Chicago for example), but he ultimately has to prove he can play again after sitting out this past season. Continue to monitor what happens with Moss, who last played with the Titans in 2010, but if he signs with a team he would be worth a late-round pick in the majority of leagues on the off chance he still has the ability to play at a high level.
Brady hurt left shoulder
Tom Brady, QB, NE
9:40 AM
News: According to CSN New England, Patriots QB
Tom Brady did aggravate his injured left shoulder in the Super Bowl loss to the Giants. He was injured in the third quarter on a hit by Giants DL
Justin Tuck. Brady initially bruised the shoulder against Miami in Week 16. He missed some practice time in the weeks after the injury but also threw six touchdowns in a Divisional Playoff win over the Broncos. His offseason work will not be impacted by the injury.
Analysis: We expect Brady to be 100 percent for the start of the 2012 season, and he remains a No. 1 Fantasy QB in all formats on Draft Day. Look for him to come off the board in Round 2 after Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees are selected.
Irsay on Peyton: We can make it work
Peyton Manning, QB, IND
2/14/2012
News: The
Indianapolis Star reports that Colts owner Jim Irsay is open to QB
Peyton Manning remaining with the team and finishing his NFL career where it began, but the ultimate decision will rest with Manning. “We can make it work if he wants to be here," Irsay said. “We’d be excited to have him back and finish his career with us. I want him to be able to make the choice. We would love to have him back here if he can get healthy and we can look at doing a contract that reflects the uncertainty of the ... healing process with the regeneration of the nerve." Irsay expects to meet with Manning within the next seven days to discuss Manning’s career with the Colts. Manning is due a $28 million option bonus by March 8 that activates the final four years of the five-year, $90 million contract he signed in July. If Irsay does not pay the bonus, Manning becomes an unrestricted free agent. Manning missed the entire 2011 season after undergoing single-level, anterior fusion surgery Sept. 8. Any new contract with the Colts undoubtedly would be incentive-laden and tied to playing time. “There’s no question it can be worked out if he wants to be here," Irsay said. “It can work if he wants to come back and can get back to being the old Peyton."
Analysis: The Colts are expected to draft Andrew Luck with the No. 1 overall pick, but Manning can still return as the starter if healthy. The bottom line with Manning is until the public sees him throw or work in practice we won't know where he's at in his recovery. The Colts also have to make a decision on his contract or else he can sign with a new team, with Arizona, Miami and Washington the likely suitors. If healthy, Manning will remain a No. 1 Fantasy QB no matter where he plays, but he has to prove that his neck is 100 percent. Continue to monitor what happens with Manning, and hopefully he can resume his career without any problems.
Schaub doing well in rehab
Matt Schaub, QB, HOU
2/14/2012
News: The
Houston Chronicle reports Tuesday that Texans QB
Matt Schaub, who finished the season on injured reserve following foot surgery, is doing well and his rehab is ahead of schedule. The report says Schaub works out almost every day.
Analysis: This is great news, and we expect Schaub to return at 100 percent in 2012. Continue to monitor what happens with Schaub, but he should be considered a low-end No. 1/high-end No. 2 Fantasy QB heading into the season. He is worth a mid-round pick in all leagues on Draft Day.
News: Free agent LB Lofau Tatupu visited with the Saints on Monday, according to NFL.com. The 29-year-old Tatupu sat out the 2011 season. The former Pro Bowl MLB was asked to take a pay cut by the Seahawks after the lockout ended last summer, and subsequently asked for his release. Tatupu was scheduled to visit with the Raiders and Redskins in August, but didn't sign with anyone and fell off the radar for the remainder of the year while he reportedly dealt with a knee injury. Tatupu was scheduled to earn more than $4 million in 2011 before his release by Seattle. The six-year veteran was a second-round pick and has played in three Pro Bowls. But he also started to wear down from 2008-2010, including finishing 2009 on injured reserve with a knee injury. He did start all 16 games in 2010, but had surgery on both knees during the offseason.
Analysis: Keep an eye on what happens with Tatupu and where he plays in 2012. When healthy and active he could be a No. 3 Fantasy LB worth a late-round pick in IDP leagues.
Flacco, Ravens to work on deal
Ravens, TQB BAL,
2/14/2012
News: The NFL Network reports that the Ravens are set to open contract extension talks with QB
Joe Flacco's agent at the NFL Combine next week. The report says both sides aim for a long-term deal. Flacco is entering a contract year in 2012, and Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti recently said Flacco would be the team's starting quarterback for years to come.
Analysis: Flacco's won a lot of games for the Ravens but hasn't taken the next step statistically, even when the team added Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith. Flacco has had between 3,610 and 3,622 passing yards and between 20 and 25 touchdowns in each of his last three seasons. But this year his completion percentage and yards per attempt dropped like a rock while his pass attempts hit a career high (542, breaking the previous mark of 499). Flacco fits the bill as a great No. 2 Fantasy QB; though he's finally outfitted with a quality receiving corps, he simply doesn't invoke much confidence as a starting option. Look for him late in drafts.
Best 'on pace' for offseason work
Jahvid Best, RB, DET
2/14/2012
News: The
Detroit Free-Press reports that Lions RB
Jahvid Best’s status remains uncertain because of concussion problems even though team president Tom Lewand is optimistic. Lewand said Best is "on pace" to be ready for offseason workouts, and he is looking forward to seeing Best and
Mikel Leshoure play together. "Jahvid is a special player and he'll be even more dynamic when he can ... share the load with a guy like Mikel in the backfield."
Analysis: We hope Best can return at 100 percent, but he will likely be used as a change of pace rusher and a third-down back. Continue to monitor what happens with Best, but he should only be drafted with a late-round pick in standard leagues and a mid-round selection in PPR formats since he will likely be used in tandem with Leshoure and possibly Kevin Smith if he returns as a free agent.
News: The
Detroit Free-Press reports that Lions RB
Mikel Leshoure, who tore his left Achilles tendon in the second week of training camp last year, is close to making a full recovery. At the Lions’ request, Leshoure just moved the final stages of his rehab back to Detroit from Arizona. He’s doing resistance work and light running and is expected to join OTA workouts at some point this offseason. Leshoure looked like he was going to be a key part of the Lions offense when injury struck last August, and the team is anxious to get a read on him this spring. RB
Jahvid Best’s status remains uncertain because of concussion problems, and even if Best returns it’s clear he’s not an every-down back.
Analysis: Leshoure should be considered a great sleeper heading into 2012, and he is worth drafting as a No. 3 Fantasy RB as long as he's healthy. He has tremendous upside, and he could be a great weapon for the Lions, especially with Best struggling as an every-down back. Continue to monitor what happens with Leshoure, but he is worth drafting as early as Round 6 in 2012.
Steelers want to lock up Wallace
Mike Wallace, WR, PIT
2/14/2012
News: The
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said Monday the team wants to keep WR
Mike Wallace "here for the long run." Wallace, their leading receiver last season, will become a restricted free agent March 13.
Analysis: Wallace played well in 2011 with 72 catches for 1,193 yards and eight touchdowns on 114 targets. He will remain in Pittsburgh in 2012, and hopefully he can sign a long-term deal. We consider Wallace a Top 10 Fantasy WR on Draft Day, and he should be selected in all leagues in Round 3.
